At midnight Mass last night, about half-way through the celebration, we sang “Away in a Manger”.  This has been one of my favourite Christmas carols since early childhood.  As we sang it, the all-too-familiar words came back to me very easily.  

As I continued to sing, my mind drifted as I looked towards the Nativity scene in front of us.  What would it be like to peer in that manger to see Baby Jesus there?  Are all our heavenly children kneeling on the hay beside Him? 

As the hymn was ending, I became more conscious of the words that I had been singing all these years.  Away In A Manger is sung from the perspective of a young child at Christmas time, it is a little prayer.  For the first time, this timeless song came alive for me in a significant way… 

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger,
no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
lay down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky
looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,
the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes;

I love Thee, Lord Jesus,
look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever,
and love me, I pray!

Bless all the dear children
in Thy tender care
And take us to heaven,
to Live with Thee there.

If it must be Keaton, that you cannot be with us, we are thankful that you are blessed and being taken care of in heaven.  Merry Christmas sweetheart…

As we welcome the birth of baby Jesus this Christmas season, we ask Him to stay in our hearts forever, no matter what time of year it happens to be.

Have a very Merry Christmas Children!  We love you always…xoxo